Have any of you met any enlightened masters personally? Not just someone who claims they are enlightened, is knowledgeable about Buddhism, or is generally a nice compassionate individual. I mean have any of you met anyone who exerted an aura, a force, a power, a charisma, a holiness, a superiority? Someone who through mere contact or in whose mere presence one feels different, a sense of calm, or the sense that one is in the presence of a superior being? Have any of you met anyone who has displayed a true siddhi? More broadly have you ever encountered an individual who has a supernatural or mystical quality or attainment?

If you haven't, that's fine, but an answer that I am not looking for "such people don't exist, this is scriptural mythology, this doesn't have to do with Buddhism, you wouldn't be able to tell unless you were enlightened as well, there are no such signs as these, etc." If that is what you believe, OK, but really I am just curious if anyone here can say they have met or encountered an individual who has such qualities or who possesses siddhis of some sort or even if you know someone who has claimed to have met such an individual.

By your criteria? No. But I have met beings who were enlightened. One of my best friends, a nominal Christian, has shown more compassion and loving kindness than the next 10 people I know combined. He's taught me more about showing kindness to all people than anyone else I've ever met, or even ever heard of. There's also a particular tree down at the local park that's taught me a thing or two.

"If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing." -Dogen

I don't recognise the criteria either. Sounds like a spiritual Elvis Presley or dharma pop star to me. We have trees around here too and have even 'met' a masterful street light, that taught me an important lesson . . .

As for the enlightened. Very unnoticeable, extraordinary qualities of kindness, awareness, service etc which are not immediately obvious.

I have never met him, but I believe that Garchen Rinpoche is/is very close to being enlightened. I have heard of people bursting into tears just by being in his presence. He seems remarkable in every way...